Cara O. Email & Phone Number

In my role as Director of Programs at StartUpNV, I lead the development, execution, and continuous improvement of founder education programs tailored to support entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey.

Remote

Support the commercial readiness of Phase 1 and Phase 2 SBIR/STTR awardees through curated commercialization services, including customer value proposition design, business plan development, technology assessments, go-to market strategy, customer discovery, market research, promotional strategy assessment and branding strategy.

🔹Designed new entrepreneurial programs to develop early-stage entrepreneurs and businesses.🔹Developed strategies for securing program funding, including grants and federal funding🔹Managed the State of Nevada's SBIR/STTR program (SAGE) to increase the number of federal awards to Nevada businesses🔹Designed and launched a program modeled after the NSF I-Corps program “WolfCorps” to provide early-stage entrepreneurial education to emerging technology businesses🔹Managed Nevada's… Show more 🔹Designed new entrepreneurial programs to develop early-stage entrepreneurs and businesses.🔹Developed strategies for securing program funding, including grants and federal funding🔹Managed the State of Nevada's SBIR/STTR program (SAGE) to increase the number of federal awards to Nevada businesses🔹Designed and launched a program modeled after the NSF I-Corps program “WolfCorps” to provide early-stage entrepreneurial education to emerging technology businesses🔹Managed Nevada's activities in the ASCEND hub to provide access to entrepreneurial training, mentoring, and technology development funds for bioscience-related technologies.🔹Secured federal funding from the SBA to execute an entrepreneurship program tailored to underserved entrepreneurs in the northern Nevada region🔹Project management responsibilities for these programs include budget management, monitoring of resource allocation plans, program services, partnerships, and deliverables to align with program objectives. Show less

🔹Facilitated the commercialization of UNR innovations through assisting with the patenting process, technology licensing, new company formation, and the creation of strategic partnerships🔹Developed and managed a targeted invention marketing process, including customer lead generation, project tracking, and technology assessment🔹Researched, wrote, edited and submitted grant proposals to secure competitive funding and establish new entrepreneurship programs and… Show more 🔹Facilitated the commercialization of UNR innovations through assisting with the patenting process, technology licensing, new company formation, and the creation of strategic partnerships🔹Developed and managed a targeted invention marketing process, including customer lead generation, project tracking, and technology assessment🔹Researched, wrote, edited and submitted grant proposals to secure competitive funding and establish new entrepreneurship programs and initiatives🔹Established relationships with UNR faculty and provided information and education to stakeholders about intellectual property and commercialization 🔹Solicited and evaluated new inventions for patentability and/or business potential Show less

Reno, Nevada Area

🔹 Provided technical assistance to grant-in-aid projects and programs administered by State agencies.🔹 Executed processing of grants and funding reimbursement requests from various state jurisdictions.🔹 Conducted financial record auditing, ensuring adherence to program objectives and fiscal responsibility.

🔹Secured a $400K grant from the National Science Foundation to establish and oversee an NSF I-Corps Site, fostering entrepreneurial initiatives at UC Merced🔹Collaborated with colleagues nationwide to develop and implement program best practices, while maintaining oversight of program budget, curriculum, and policies🔹Implemented standardized procedures for the planning, development, and execution of program activities🔹Acted as a key intermediary between the UC Merced Venture Lab… Show more 🔹Secured a $400K grant from the National Science Foundation to establish and oversee an NSF I-Corps Site, fostering entrepreneurial initiatives at UC Merced🔹Collaborated with colleagues nationwide to develop and implement program best practices, while maintaining oversight of program budget, curriculum, and policies🔹Implemented standardized procedures for the planning, development, and execution of program activities🔹Acted as a key intermediary between the UC Merced Venture Lab and the Advisory BoardMonitored, evaluated, and enhanced project activities to ensure alignment with established objectives🔹Successfully awarded $45K in grants within the initial 6 months of program operations🔹Provided each participating startup team with a $3,000 grant for conducting customer discovery activities and facilitated their potential inclusion in the NSF Bay Area Node, offering the opportunity to secure up to $50K in additional funding. Show less

Uc Merced Venture Lab - 1735 M Street, Merced Ca 95340

🔹Managed daily operations of UC Merced Venture Lab, ensuring effective coordination and functionality.🔹Aided the design and implementation of entrepreneur support programs, leveraging $2.2M funding under California Assembly Bill 2664 "University of California: Innovation and Entrepreneurship Expansion"🔹Supported the expansion of UC Merced's business incubator program to new sites in Atwater and Modesto to attract ventures and grow the startup network in the region.🔹Assisted in… Show more 🔹Managed daily operations of UC Merced Venture Lab, ensuring effective coordination and functionality.🔹Aided the design and implementation of entrepreneur support programs, leveraging $2.2M funding under California Assembly Bill 2664 "University of California: Innovation and Entrepreneurship Expansion"🔹Supported the expansion of UC Merced's business incubator program to new sites in Atwater and Modesto to attract ventures and grow the startup network in the region.🔹Assisted in growing Central Valley Ventures, a legal network catering to entrepreneurs in the California Central Valley, emphasizing support for those in rural areas.🔹Participated in establishing a $300K Proof of Concept Fund to assist in transitioning UC Merced innovations to commercial ventures. Show less

1735 M Street, Merced Ca

🔹Led and managed the UC Merced Venture Lab, the university's inaugural business incubator program🔹Developed and implemented an accelerator program curriculum and assistance program, providing valuable coaching and support to entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses🔹Successfully oversaw the day-to-day operations, allocated resources, and managed the budget for the co-working space and accelerator program🔹Acted as a liaison between the community and business partners… Show more 🔹Led and managed the UC Merced Venture Lab, the university's inaugural business incubator program🔹Developed and implemented an accelerator program curriculum and assistance program, providing valuable coaching and support to entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses🔹Successfully oversaw the day-to-day operations, allocated resources, and managed the budget for the co-working space and accelerator program🔹Acted as a liaison between the community and business partners, fostering effective collaboration and expanding program services🔹Created and delivered tailored educational programs and events to enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem🔹Headed a team of market researchers, formulating comprehensive marketing strategies for new businesses and university spinout companies🔹Conducted market research crucial for making informed decisions on patent filings for inventions originating from the university Show less

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Business Administration And Management, General

Activities and Societies: Volunteer at Golden Valley Health Centers, Health Catalysts (Health Leeds), Volunteer at Merced Theatre.

Business Strategy

Studied business strategy, including market research, marketing and business development plan and execution, strategic development.

Other; Certificate In Disruptive Strategy, Certificate, Complete

Disruptive Strategy is a 6-week, 30-hour online certificate program from Harvard Business School Online. Disruptive Strategy helps.